“By far, it’s our worst intersection for accidents … Dixie and Symmes is second. I’m sure that’s why they’re addressing this,” said Day, who noted that Ohio 4/Gilmore Holden has seen an average of 17 accidents per year since 2009.
On Monday, City Council passed a resolution of intent and necessity for the project, which notes that the estimated cost of right-of-way acquisition for the project is $335,416 — an amount that may increase through negotiation and litigation. The project includes 13 parcels with seven different owners , according to city documentation.
The city’s plan is to widen the intersection to accommodate additional turn lanes onto Ohio 4 and an additional through-lane from Holden to South Gilmore. The traffic signals will be upgraded to include mast arm signals and illuminated advance lane use signs. Work is expected to begin in the spring of 2016 and be complete by the end of that year.
The city had hoped to do the project this year, but City Engineer Ben Mann said there wasn’t time to get the project in place by now. The city didn’t want the work to be done while school was still in session, so it was delayed until next year. The district will also soon begin construction on two new buildings in that area: the new Freshman School, to be located behind the high school, and a new elementary school, to be built across the street from the high school on Holden. Those buildings, along with a new Central Elementary on Ohio 4, are expected to be complete in time for the 2017-2018 school year.
The majority of the project, 90 percent, is being paid through an Ohio Department of Transportation grant.
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